The division of the kingdom of Israel into two kingdoms (Israel and Judah) is a great study in leadership, team building, conflict management, labor relations and much more. God's Word, in this story, has given us a plethora of insight into human behavior in the midst of conflict. Rehoboam wanted to go up against the rebel Jeroboam and fight him. But, because they were actually brothers, God comes to Rehoboam and instructs him to "not" attack his brother. Brothers should not fight brothers, seems to be the lesson in that section. However, note 2 Chronicles 11:5 and see what Rehoboam's response is:
2 Chronicles 11:5
Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built cities for defense in Judah.
God may have told him "not" to attack his brother but God didn't prevent him from protecting himself against his brother. Just because we don't attack and fight our brother doesn't mean he will also listen to God and cease from attacking us. We see a similar line of defense in the story of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph had been tossed in a pit by his brothers and sold into slavery. Although he rose to the second most powerful man in the land he still didn't trust his brothers. When they came to ask for food and didn't recognize him, he wasn't unkind, but he was in a defensive and protective mode. He actually kept one of the brothers in prison to see and test and verify the hearts of his other brothers ... would they leave this brother in captivity as they had left him? God does not expect us to fight our brothers, but the scripture says, "as much as in you live at peace with all men" (This is a quote from Romans 12:18. Romans 12 is the most important chapter of how to handle conflict in your life.) Sometimes we can live at peace with all men because they don't want peace they want war (Psalm 120:7). Preparing defense is wisdom from God not fear of man. God expects us to defend ourselves and prepare that defense. Faith is not walking aimlessly through this world ... it is walking prudently through this world.
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